Mentor Contract

FAM Mentors work diligently to uphold the mission of Friends and Mentors, INC.

MISSION:

Our mission at Friends and Mentors, Inc. (FAM) is to improve our students' academic performance, promote social-emotional development, and provide alternatives to high-risk behaviors by providing influential relationships with caring mentors. FAM works to empower our youth to serve as leaders in their communities, advocate for social justice, make positive life choices, and realize their full potential.

FAM Mentors are required to have a minimum of 2 hours of contact per week with their assigned mentee.

FAM Mentors commit to attending the once a week after school programming on Fridays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mentors who will not be attending at this scheduled time must receive approval from FAM Leadership.

Mentors are required to attend at least one social action project and community service.

Mentors are allowed one excluded and one unexcused absence. Excused absences must be reported to staff at least 24 hours in advance.

The roles of a FAM Mentor include:

- Maintaining a positive relationship with the mentee and their family.

- Supporting their mentee academically.
- Facilitation prep and implementation of weekly modules.

- Social Action Project Support.

- Filling out weekly logs. Reporting any potentially harmful behavior and or circumstances presented by the mentee.

Mentors will be evaluated on their performance. If a mentor is underperforming, their contract will be terminated.

GROUP SETTINGS

Two Adults: We commit to having two trained adults present during all program
activities, small groups, or informal group hangouts.

Physical Contact: Our mentors recognize the relationship between feeling like a family and
maintaining safety standards. We use blameless discretion and allow mentees to
determine their level of comfort during hugs and other physical contact. We commit to
a blameless practice of interacting with our mentees.

Mentor/Mentee Ratio: For all of our programs, events, and trips, we commit to at least
an 3:1 mentee mentor ratio.

ONE-ON-ONE

Public Meetings: We recognize the value of one-on-one meetings between mentees
and mentors. While upholding mentee confidentiality if needed, we commit to meeting
with mentees in public, open spaces with other adults nearby. We avoid meeting with
mentees in closed rooms or in a space that is out of sight or exceptionally private. We
avoid meeting with mentees late at night unless the situation is an emergency.

Confidentiality: Since we are committed to the safety of our mentees and maintaining
mandatory reporting standards, we never promise complete confidentiality to mentees
(see Sensitive Information Protocol). In the event of abuse or another situation that endangers the emotional, physical, or sexual health of a mentee, we commit to action steps that keep the best interest of the mentee in mind.

Transportation: Mentors who have completed this form which includes License & Vehicle Information may give rides to two or more students at a time with written or verbal consent from a parent/guardian.

A mentor may drive alone with a student only if they have a Mentoring Contract signed with the students’ parent(s)/guardian(s) permission.

Texting/Phone Calls: We seek to maintain blameless interactions with mentees through
texting, social messaging, and phone calls. We do our best to create group messages,
include other mentors in the communication, and avoid extended or late-night
communication.